There is one news event that affects everyone—it can help break the ice as small talk, it can make a day better or worse, and it can devastate entire communities: it is, of course, the weather. It’s important to have meteorologists reporting on the weather who are trained in both science and journalism, which is why long-time WVLT-TV chief meteorologist, anchor, and Emmy Award-winning journalist Heather Haley (’05) is coming on board in August at the College of Communication and Information as an assistant professor of practice in the School of Journalism and Media and as a WUOT 91.9 FM meteorologist and climate reporter.
“The College of Communication and Information is committed to bringing experienced and talented practitioners into its ranks to share their industry experience with the next generation of communication and information professionals,” said CCI Dean Joe Mazer. “Haley’s dual role in equipping student journalists to serve their communities and informing Tennesseans to help them be prepared for weather events is central to the college’s strategic plan. These include providing the best communication and information student experience in the nation and carrying out the land-grant mission of the university to serve the people of the state of Tennessee.”
As a 2005 graduate of the School of Journalism and Media and a member of the school’s alumni advisory council, Haley has long been interested in her alma mater expanding its broadcast meteorology offerings. One such example is when she helped inform the creation of the Broadcast Meteorology minor launched in 2022, which is offered in collaboration between the School of Journalism and Media and the Department of Geography.
Haley got her start in meteorology after working as a television reporter and anchor in Hazard, Kentucky, for a few years. At the encouragement of her news director, she soon began taking long-distance courses to earn a second degree in meteorology to fulfill her dream of becoming a broadcast meteorologist in Knoxville at WVLT. Haley continued to move up in her career, eventually being named WVLT’s chief meteorologist and the first woman to serve as chief meteorologist in the Knoxville market.
“Weather is the number one reason that people watch local news. It is the first thing people look at on their phones in the morning. So, I want to help students prepare to provide that accurately and in a meaningful way,” she said, noting that a rise in self-proclaimed weather experts on the internet has led to a wealth of misinformation around a topic that can be life or death.
School of Journalism and Media Director Amy Jo Coffey said Haley will teach courses such as multimedia reporting, special topics courses in weather and feature reporting, science reporting for broadcast, and a broadcast meteorology course.
“Heather is a valuable addition to the School of Journalism and Media, bringing a wealth of knowledge and industry experience to the classroom,” said Coffey. “Aligning with the school’s commitment to cutting-edge instruction, Haley will create opportunities for hands-on learning in broadcast meteorology and will mentor our students through a variety of outlets.”
Award-Winning Storm Coverage Highlights Value of In-Depth Weather Reporting
The devastation wrought by Hurricane Helene in East Tennessee and nearby regions in fall 2024 makes the importance of quality weather reporting hit close to home. WUOT reporters proved this to be true when they recently took home the top award at the East Tennessee Society of Professional Journalist’s Golden Press Card Awards for covering the storm before, during, and after it hit the area. Adding an experienced climate journalist to the team will continue to elevate the station’s efforts to keep listeners well-informed around weather issues impacting their lives and communities, said WUOT Director Jody Hamblett.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Heather Haley to the WUOT team,” said Hamblett. “Her deep East Tennessee roots and meteorological expertise make her a tremendous asset. She will not only help keep our listeners safe with accurate forecasts but will also expand our coverage of critical environmental issues across the region.”
While the weather in East Tennessee is not always as dramatic as hurricanes, it can deeply affect industries in the region such as farming, Haley said. She is ready to move on from the constant demands of broadcasting as a chief meteorologist and to dig into stories that speak to how weather is intrinsically tied to everyday life.
She also knows that many journalists who enter the field and are asked to cover weather events have never been taught the best way to do that. Even if they are not going to be meteorologists, Haley said there is still a lot of knowledge she can impart around topics such as safely navigating roads during inclement weather and knowing when it is time to leave the scene.
“If they come in prepared and news directors see journalism students who are ready to go out and cover weather, they’ll jump to the top of the pile because they can hit the ground running,” she said.
There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes of being a broadcast meteorologist that most people don’t know is happening, Haley said. It can be a demanding role when there are large weather events, sometimes requiring 16-hour days, and she wants students who aspire to be broadcast meteorologists to be ready for the job.
“I want to help people prepare for an industry that does come with a lot; there’s a lot of on-air newscasts now and a lot of digital responsibilities. I’m doing radio updates, I’m managing an app, I’m updating the website, plus I’m designing the on-air graphics, all on top of being on air,” she said.
As someone who got their first taste of broadcast journalism as a UT student interning at WVLT, Haley said she knows how pivotal good teachers and mentors can be for students. Leaving behind WVLT after her long history with the station is bittersweet, but her new roles will allow her more flexibility to spend time with her family, she said. Her family includes her husband, Steven, who she met at the old Copper Cellar on the Cumberland strip while they were both attending UT, and her children: Logan, 12, and Lily, 8.
Besides a more relaxed work schedule, Haley is looking forward to enjoying the atmosphere on campus during gamedays as well as being surrounded by students and lifelong learners.
“It’s like I’m hitting reset, I’m really excited. I keep hearing from the staff and faculty how much they love having students here every day, it’s electric. I’m looking forward to that positivity and environment, just being in the lives of students and helping them grow from semester to semester and having it come to fruition with graduation,” she said.